Method of fabricating hybrid impact-ionization semiconductor device

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device which includes a semiconductor substrate, a first gate structure disposed over the substrate, the first gate structure including a first gate electrode of a first conductivity type, a second gate structure disposed over the substrate and proximate the first gate structure, the second gate structure including a second gate electrode of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type, a first doped region of the first conductivity type disposed in the substrate, the first doped region including a first lightly doped region aligned with a side of the first gate structure, and a second doped region of the second conductivity type disposed in the substrate, the second doped region including a second lightly doped region aligned with a side of the second gate structure.

BACKGROUND

The semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) industry has experienced rapid growth. Technological advances in IC materials and design have produced generations of ICs where each generation has smaller and more complex circuits than the previous generation. However, these advances have increased the complexity of processing and manufacturing ICs and, for these advances to be realized, similar developments in IC processing and manufacturing are needed.

In the course of IC evolution, functional density (i.e. the number of interconnected devices per chip area) has generally increased while geometry size (i.e. the smallest component (or line) that can be created using a fabrication process) has decreased. This scaling down process generally provides benefits by increasing production efficiency and lowering associated costs. Such scaling-down also produces a relatively high power dissipation value, which may be addressed by using low power dissipation devices such as complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices. CMOS devices have typically been formed with a gate oxide and polysilicon gate electrode. There has been a desire to replace the gate oxide and polysilicon gate electrode with a high-k gate dielectric and metal gate electrode to improve device performance as feature sizes continue to decrease.

However, the scaling of CMOS devices faces challenges of rapid increase in power consumption. Impact-ionization MOS (IMOS) devices are a promising candidate for enabling further scaling of power supply voltage without an increase of an off-state leakage current due to its sub-60 mV/dec subthreshold swing. Therefore, what is desired is a method of fabricating a IMOS device utilizing high-k dielectric metal gate technology.

SUMMARY

One of the broader forms of an embodiment of the invention involves a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate; a first gate structure disposed over the substrate, the first gate structure including a first gate electrode of a first conductivity type; a second gate structure disposed over the substrate and proximate the first gate structure, the second gate structure including a second gate electrode of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type; a first doped region of the first conductivity type disposed in the substrate, the first doped region including a first portion aligned with a side of the first gate structure; and a second doped region of the second conductivity type disposed in the substrate, the second doped region including a second portion aligned with a side of the second gate structure.

Another one of the broader forms of an embodiment of the invention involves a method for fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having an active region; forming an isolation structure to isolate the active region; orming first and second gate structures over the active region of the substrate, the first gate structure including a first gate electrode of a first conductivity type, the second gate structure including a second gate electrode of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity; and forming first and second doped regions within the active region of the substrate, the first doped region having the first conductivity type, the second doped region having the second conductivity type. The first and second gate structures are interposed between the first and second doped regions.

Yet another one of the broader forms of an embodiment of the invention involves a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having an active region; an isolation structure for isolating the active region; first and second gate structures disposed over the active region of the substrate, the first gate structure including a first gate electrode of a first conductivity type, the second gate structure including a second gate electrode of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type; and first and second doped regions disposed within the active region of the substrate, the first doped region having the first conductivity type, the second doped region having the second conductivity type. The first and second gate structures are interposed between the first and second doped regions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional impact-ionization metal oxide semiconductor (IMOS) device;

FIGS. 2A and 2B is a flowchart illustrating a method for fabricating a hybrid semiconductor device with according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3-12 are cross-sectional views of a hybrid semiconductor device at various stages of fabrication according to the method of FIGS. 2A and 2B; and

FIGS. 13 and 14 are cross-sectional views of a hybrid semiconductor device that can be implemented as a p-channel IMOS device and an n-channel IMOS device, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the invention. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Moreover, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed interposing the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. Various features may be arbitrarily drawn in different scales for simplicity and clarity. In addition, the present disclosure provides examples of fabricating a semiconductor device in a “gate last” process, however one skilled in the art may recognize applicability to other processes and/or use of other materials.

Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated is a conventional impact-ionization metal oxide semiconductor (IMOS) device 100. The IMOS device 100 is configured as an n-type (n-channel) IMOS field effect transistor. The IMOS device 100 includes a semiconductor substrate 102 such as a silicon substrate. The IMOS device 100 may be isolated from other devices by an isolation structure 104 such as a shallow trench isolation (STI). The IMOS device 100 further includes a gate structure having a gate dielectric 110 and a gate electrode 112. The gate dielectric 110 may include a gate oxide or other suitable dielectric layer. The gate electrode 112 may include a doped polysilicon (poly). The IMOS device 100 further includes spacers 114 disposed on sidewalls of the gate structure. The IMOS device 100 further includes a source region 118 and a drain region 120. The source region 118 includes a heavily doped region of p-type dopants (P+) such as boron. The drain region 120 includes a heavily doped region of n-type dopants (N+) such as phosphorous or arsenic. The drain region 120 further includes a lightly doped region 122 of n-type dopants (nLDD) such as phosphorous or arsenic. Silicide features 130 are formed on the gate electrode 112, source region 118, and drain region 120.

The operation of the IMOS device 100 is known and thus only briefly discussed herein. The IMOS device 100 includes a channel region having a gate length (L_(gate)) and an intrinsic region (I-region) having an intrinsic length (L_(I)). The gate electrode 112 is coupled to a gate voltage (V_(g)), the source region 118 is coupled to a source voltage (V_(s)), and the drain region 120 is coupled to a drain voltage (V_(d)). At a low V_(g) (i.e. less than a threshold voltage V_(th)), a lateral electric field is below breakdown as a fraction of V_(ds) gets applied across the I-region outside the gate. The current is limited by the reverse leakage current of the P-I-N diode (off-state). With an increasing V_(g), an increasing fraction of V_(ds) falls across the I-region, and thus increases the lateral electric field. When V_(g) reaches a certain value (i.e. greater than a threshold voltage V_(th)), impact ionization leads to avalanche breakdown in the I-region and a large amount of electron-hole pairs are generated due to this self-amplfying avalanche effect which results in a rapid increase in current flowing between the source 118 and drain 120 (on-state). Accordingly, the IMOS device 100 is a promising candidate that enable further scaling of power supply voltage without increasing the off-state leakage current due to its sub-60 mV/dec subthreshold swing. However, there have been challenges with fabricating this type of device as feature sizes continue to shrink. For example, overlay control to pattern the mask to define the P+ region becomes more difficult. Additionally, more challenges are present in forming an asymmetric device structure as compared to a symmetric device structure.

Referring to FIG. 2, illustrated is a flowchart of a method 200 for fabricating a hybrid semiconductor device according to various aspects of the present disclosure. The method 200 begins with block 202 in which a semiconductor substrate is provided. The substrate includes an active region. The method 200 continues with block 204 in which an isolation structure is formed to isolate the active region of the substrate. The method 200 continues with block 206 in which first and second gate structures are formed over the active region of the substrate. The first and second gate structures include first and second dummy gates, respectively. The method 200 continues with block 208 in which a first mask is formed to protect the first gate structure and a portion of the second gate structure. The method 200 continues with block 210 in which a first implantation process is performed on the substrate to form a lightly doped region aligned with a sidewall of the second gate structure. The method 200 continues with block 212 in which the first mask is removed.

The method 200 continues with block 214 in which a second mask is formed to protect the second gate structure and a portion of the first gate structure. The method 200 continues with block 216 in which a second implantation process is performed on the substrate to form a lightly doped region aligned with a sidewall of the first gate structure. The method 200 continues with block 218 in which the second mask is removed. The method 200 continues with block 220 in which spacers are formed on sidewalls of the first and second gate structures, respectively. The method 200 continues with block 222 in which a third mask is formed to protect the first gate structure and the portion of the second gate structure. The method 200 continues with block 224 in which a third implantation process is performed on the substrate to form a heavily doped region aligned with the spacer formed on the sidewall of the second gate structure. The method 200 continues with block 226 in which the third mask is removed.

The method 200 continues with block 228 in which a fourth mask is formed to protect the second gate structure and the portion of the first gate structure. The method 200 continues with block 230 in which a fourth implantation process is performed on the substrate to form a heavily doped region aligned with the spacer formed on the sidewall of the first gate structure. The method 200 continues with block 232 in which the fourth mask is removed. The method 200 continues with block 234 in which an inter-level dielectric (ILD) is formed over the substrate. The method 200 continues with block 236 in which a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is performed on the ILD thereby exposing the first and second dummy gate structures. The method 200 continues with block 238 in which the first dummy gate structure is replaced with a first metal gate electrode. The method 200 continues with block 240 in which the second dummy gate structure is replaced with a second metal gate electrode. The method 200 continues with block 242 in which fabrication of the semiconductor device is completed. The discussion that follows illustrates various embodiments of a hybrid semiconductor device that can be fabricated according to the method 200 of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

Referring to FIGS. 3-12, illustrated are cross-sectional views of a hybrid semiconductor device 300 at various stages of fabrication according to the method 200 of FIGS. 2A and 2B. It should be noted that part of the semiconductor device 300 may be fabricated with a CMOS process flow. Accordingly, it is understood that additional processes may be provided before, during, and after the method 200 of FIGS. 2A and 2B, and that some other processes may only be briefly described herein. It is understood that FIGS. 3 to 12 have been simplified for the sake of clarity to better understand the inventive concepts of the present disclosure. In the present embodiment, the semiconductor device 300 may be fabricated in a gate last process (also referred to as a gate replacement process).

In FIG. 3, the semiconductor device 300 includes a semiconductor substrate 302. The substrate 302 includes a semiconductor wafer such as a silicon wafer. The substrate 302 may include various doped regions such as P-wells and N-wells. In some embodiments, the substrate 302 may include other elementary semiconductors such as germanium. The substrate 302 may also include a compound semiconductor such as silicon carbide, gallium arsenic, indium arsenide, and indium phosphide. The substrate 302 may include an alloy semiconductor such as silicon germanium, silicon germanium carbide, gallium arsenic phosphide, and gallium indium phosphide. In one embodiment, the substrate 302 includes an epitaxial layer (epi layer) overlying a bulk semiconductor. Furthermore, the substrate 302 may include a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) structure. In various embodiments, the substrate 302 may include a buried layer such as an N-type buried layer (NBL), a P-type buried layer (PBL), and/or a buried dielectric layer including a buried oxide (BOX) layer.

Isolation structures 304 such as shallow trench isolation (STI) or local oxidation of silicon (LOCOS) are formed in the substrate 302 to define and electrically isolate various active regions. As one example, the formation of an STI feature may include dry etching a trench in a substrate and filling the trench with insulator materials such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or silicon oxynitride. The filled trench may have a multi-layer structure such as a thermal oxide liner layer filled with silicon nitride or silicon oxide. In furtherance of the embodiment, the STI structure may be created using a processing sequence such as: growing a pad oxide, forming a low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) nitride layer, patterning an STI opening using photoresist and masking, etching a trench in the substrate, optionally growing a thermal oxide trench liner to improve the trench interface, filling the trench with oxide, using chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) processing to etch back and planarize, and using a nitride stripping process to remove the silicon nitride.

The semiconductor device 300 further includes gate structures 306 a, 306 b formed over the substrate 302. The formation of the gate structures 306 a, 306 n includes forming various material layers, and etching/patterning the various material layers to form the gate structures. The gate structures 306 a, 306 b are spaced a distance D ranging from about 45 nm to about 55 nm.

The gate structures 306 a, 306 b include an interfacial layer (not shown) formed over the substrate 302. The interfacial layer may include a silicon oxide (SiO₂) layer (e.g., thermal or chemical oxide formation) having a thickness ranging from about 5 to about 20 angstrom (Å). Alternatively, the interfacial layer may optionally include HfSiO or SiON formed by atomic layer deposition (ALD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), thermal oxidation, or combinations thereof.

The gate structures 306 a, 306 b further include a high-k dielectric layer 310 a, 310 b formed on the interfacial layer. The high-k dielectric layer 310 a, 310 b may be formed by ALD, CVD, metalorganic CVD (MOCVD), PVD, thermal oxidation, combinations thereof, or other suitable techniques. The high-k dielectric layer 310 a, 310 b may include a thickness ranging from about 5 to about 20 angstrom (Å). The high-k dielectric layer 310 a, 310 b may include a binary or ternary high-k film such as HfO_(x). Alternatively, the high-k dielectric layer 310 a, 310 b may optionally include other high-k dielectrics such as LaO, AlO, ZrO, TiO, Ta₂O₅, Y₂O₃, SrTiO₃ (STO), BaTiO₃ (BTO), BaZrO, HfZrO, HfLaO, HfSiO, LaSiO, AlSiO, HfTaO, HfTiO, (Ba,Sr)TiO₃ (BST), Al₂O₃, Si₃N₄, oxynitrides, or other suitable materials.

The gate structures 306 a, 306 b may further include a barrier layer (not shown) formed over the high-k dielectric layer 310 a, 310 b. The barrier layer may include a metal film such as TiN or TaN. Alternatively, the barrier layer may optionally include Si3N₄. The barrier layer may include a thickness ranging from about 5 to about 20 angstrom (Å). The barrier layer may function as a barrier between the high-k dielectric layer and a subsequent dummy poly gate structure. The barrier layer may help reduce or eliminate the risk of Fermi level pinning between the poly and the high-k dielectric during subsequent processing. Also, the barrier layer may function as a etch stop layer and protection layer during removal of the dummy poly gate as discussed later below. The barrier layer may be formed by various deposition techniques such as ALD, PVD, CVD, or other suitable technique.

The gate structures 306 a, 306 b may further include a polysilicon (or poly) layer 312 a, 312 b formed over the high-k dielectric layer 310 a, 310 b, respectively, by a suitable deposition process. For example, silane (SiH₄), di-silane (Si₂H₆), or di-clorsilane (SiCl₂H₄) may be used as a chemical gas in a CVD process to form the poly layer 312 a, 312 b. The poly layer 312 a, 312 b may be referred to as a dummy poly layer since it will be replaced with a metal gate electrode as will be discussed below. The poly layer 312 a, 312 b may include a thickness ranging from about 200 to about 2000 angstrom (Å). Alternatively, an amorphous silicon layer may optionally be formed instead of the polysilicon layer.

The gate structures 306 a, 306 b may further include a hard mask layer 314 a, 314 b formed on the poly layer 312 a, 312 b, respectively. The hard mask layer 314 a, 314 b may include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon carbide, and/or other suitable dielectric materials, and may be formed using a method such as CVD or PVD. The hard mask layer 314 a, 314 b may include a thickness ranging from about 100 to about 400 angstrom (Å). Additionally, an antireflective coating layer or bottom antireflective coating (BARC) layer may be used to enhance a photolithography process for patterning a photoresist layer.

One exemplary method for patterning the gate structures 306 a, 306 b is described below. A layer of photoresist is formed on the hard mask layer by a suitable process, such as spin-on coating, and then patterned to form a patterned photoresist feature by a proper lithography patterning method. The patterned photoresist layer is formed on the hard mask layer. The pattern of the photoresist layer is transferred to the hard mask layer and then transferred to the polysilicon layer and the high-k dielectric layer to form the gate structures. It is noted that the gate structures 306 a, 306 b may include a sealing layer or other suitable layer formed on the side walls of the gate structures.

In FIG. 4, the semiconductor device 300 further includes a lightly doped region 324 of an n-type (referred to as nLDD region) formed in the substrate 302. It is understood that an integrated circuit (IC) chip of the semiconductor device 300 may include various microelectronic devices such as core NMOS and PMOS devices (not shown) formed in other active regions of the substrate 302. Accordingly, the lightly doped region 324 may be formed concurrently (same stage) with formation of lightly doped regions of an n-type (nLDD) in the other active regions of the substrate 302 for the core NMOS devices. A patterned photoresist layer 320 is formed by a proper lithography patterning method. The photoresist layer 320 protects a portion of the substrate 302, the gate structure 306 a, and a portion of the gate structure 306 b. Another portion of the substrate 302 is exposed between a sidewall of the gate structure 306 b and the STI 304. An ion implantation process 322 is performed to implant n-type dopants, such as phosphorous or arsenic, into the exposed portion of the substrate 302 thereby forming the lightly doped region 324. In an embodiment, the ion implantation process 322 utilizes an energy ranging from about 3 to about 5 KeV, a dosage ranging from about 5E14 to about 2E15 atoms/cm², and a tilt angle ranging from about 0 to about 7 degree. The lightly doped region 324 includes an edge substantially self-aligned with a sidewall of the gate structure 306 b. In other embodiments, the nLDD regions may be formed by diffusion.

In FIG. 5, the semiconductor device 300 further includes a lightly doped region 334 of a p-type (referred to as pLDD region) formed in the substrate 302. As noted above, the IC chip of the semiconductor device 300 may include core PMOS devices (not shown) formed in other active regions of the substrate 302. Accordingly, the lightly doped region 334 may be formed concurrently (same stage) with formation of lightly doped regions of a p-type (pLDD) in the other active regions of the substrate 302 for the core PMOS devices. A patterned photoresist layer 330 is formed by a proper lithography patterning method. The photoresist layer 330 protects a portion of the substrate 302, the gate structure 306 b, and a portion of the gate structure 306 a. Another portion of the substrate 302 is exposed between a sidewall of the gate structure 306 a and the STI 304. An ion implantation process 332 is performed to implant p-type dopants, such as boron or BF₂, into the exposed portion of the substrate 302 thereby forming the lightly doped region 334. In an embodiment, the ion implantation process 332 utilizes an energy ranging from about 3 to about 5 KeV, a dosage ranging from about 5E14 to about 2E15 atoms/cm², and a tilt angle ranging from about 0 to about 7 degree. The lightly doped region 334 includes an edge substantially self-aligned with a sidewall of the gate structure 306 a. In other embodiments, the nLDD regions may be formed by diffusion.

In FIG. 6, the semiconductor device 300 further includes sidewall spacers 340 a, 340 b formed on the sidewalls of the gate structures 306 a, 306 b, respectively. The sidewall spacers 340 a, 340 b may include a dielectric material such as silicon oxide. Alternatively, the sidewall spacers 340 a, 340 b may optionally include silicon nitride, silicon carbide, silicon oxynitride, or combinations thereof In some embodiments, the sidewall spacers 340 a, 340 b may have a multilayer structure. The sidewall spacers 340 a, 340 b may be formed by a known deposition and etching (anisotropic etching technique). It is noted that the sidewalls spacers 340 a, 340 b have sufficient thickness such that the sidewall spacers 340 a, 340 b disposed on opposing sidewalls of the gate structures 306 a, 306 b are merged 342 due to the small spacing D between the gate structures 306 a, 306 b. Accordingly, the merged sidewall spacers 342 protect a portion of the substrate 302 directly underlying the region between the gate structures 306 a, 306 b. The merged sidewall spacers 342 will protect the underlying substrate 302 during a salicidation process as will be discussed below.

In FIG. 7, the semiconductor device 300 further includes a heavy doped region 354 of an n-type (referred to as N+ region) formed in the substrate 302. As noted above, the IC chip of the semiconductor device 300 may include core NMOS devices in other active regions of the substrate 302. Accordingly, the heavy doped region 354 may be formed concurrently (same stage) with formation of source/drain (S/D) regions of an n-type for the core NMOS devices. A patterned photoresist layer 350 is formed by a proper lithography patterning method. The photoresist layer 350 may be similar to the photoresist layer 330 that was utilized for the formation of the lightly doped region 334. Accordingly, the photoresist layer 350 protects a portion of the substrate 302, the gate structure 306 a, and a portion of the gate structure 306 b. Another portion of the substrate 302 is exposed between the sidewall spacer 340 b and the STI 304. An ion implantation process 352 is performed to implant n-type dopants, such as phosphorous or arsenic, into the exposed portion of the substrate 302 thereby forming the heavy doped region 324. In an embodiment, the ion implantation process 352 utilizes an energy ranging from about 3 to about 15 KeV, a dosage ranging from about 1E15 to about 5E15 atoms/cm², and a tilt angle of about 0 degree. The heavy doped region 354 includes an edge that is substantially self-aligned with the sidewall spacer 340 b of the gate structure 306 b. In other embodiments, the S/D regions may be formed by diffusion. In various embodiments, the S/D regions may have different doping profiles formed by multi-process implantation. It is noted that the heavy doped region 354 may function as either a source or a drain depending on a bias configuration as will be discussed below.

In FIG. 8, the semiconductor device 300 further includes a heavy doped region 364 of a p-type (referred to as P+ region) formed in the substrate 302. As noted above, the IC chip of the semiconductor device 300 may include core PMOS devices in other active regions of the substrate 302. Accordingly, the heavy doped region 364 may be formed concurrently (same stage) with formation of source/drain (S/D) regions of a p-type for the core PMOS devices. A patterned photoresist layer 360 is formed by a proper lithography patterning method. It is noted that overlay control to pattern the photoresist layer 360 is more relaxed (i.e. larger process window) since the opening does not have to be precisely patterned to define the P+ region as compared to the conventional device of FIG. 1. The photoresist layer 360 may be similar to the photoresist layer 340 that was utilized for the formation of the lightly doped region 344. Accordingly, the photoresist layer 360 protects a portion of the substrate 302, the gate structure 306 b, and a portion of the gate structure 306 a. Another portion of the substrate 302 is exposed between the sidewall spacer 340 a and the STI 304. An ion implantation process 362 is performed to implant p-type dopants, such as boron or BF₂, into the exposed portion of the substrate 302 thereby forming the heavy doped region 364. In an embodiment, the ion implantation process 362 utilizes an energy ranging from about 3 to about 6 KeV, a dosage ranging from about 1E15 to about 3E15 atoms/cm², and a tilt angle of about 0 degree. The heavy doped region 364 includes an edge that is substantially self-aligned with the sidewall spacer 340 a of the gate structure 306 a. In other embodiments, the S/D regions may be formed by diffusion. A rapid thermal annealing (RTA) process may be used to activate the implanted dopant. In various embodiments, the source and drain regions may have different doping profiles formed by multi-process implantation. It is noted that the heavy doped region 354 may function as either a source or a drain depending on a bias configuration as will be discussed below.

In FIG. 9, the semiconductor device 300 further includes self-aligned silicide (salicide) features 366 formed by a self-aligned silicidation (salicidation). The silicide features 366 are formed on the heavy doped regions 354, 364 to reduce contact resistance. An exemplary process to form the salicide features 366 includes depositing a metal layer over the substrate 302, performing an annealing to cause a reaction between the underlying silicon substrate and metal layer to form the silicide features 366, and etching the un-reacted metal away. It is noted that the merged sidewall spacers 342 and sidewall spacers 340 a, 340 b protect the underlying substrate during the salicidation process.

In FIG. 10, the semiconductor device 300 is shown following a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) and etch process performed on the ILD that exposes the dummy poly gate. The semiconductor device 300 may undergo a photoresist etch back process to remove the hard masks 314 a, 314 b from the gate structures 306 a, 306 b. Additionally, an etching process may be performed to remove the spacers 340 a, 340 b. An inter-level dielectric (ILD) 370 is formed over the substrate 302. The ILD 370 may include a oxide formed by a high aspect ratio process (HARP) and/or high density plasma (HDP) deposition process. Thereafter, a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process may be performed on the ILD 370 to planarize and polish the ILD until the poly layers 312 a, 312 b are exposed in the gate structures 306 a, 306 b.

In FIG. 11, a mask 374 may be formed to protect the gate structure 306 b by a proper lithography patterning method. The poly layer 312 a may be removed from the gate structure 306 a thereby forming a trench. The poly layer 312 a may be removed by a wet or dry etch process. For example, a wet etch process may include exposure to a hydroxide containing solution (e.g., ammonium hydroxide), deionized water, and/or other suitable etchant solutions. The barrier layer (if formed in the gate first flow) may function as an etch barrier for the etching. A p-type work function metal gate (P-metal gate) 380 may be formed in the trench overlying the high-k dielectric layer 310 a. The P-metal gate 380 may include various metal materials suitable for forming a metal gate or portion thereof, including work function layers, fill metal layer, liner layer, wetting layer, and adhesion layer. The P-metal gate 380 may be formed by ALD, PVD, CVD, or other suitable process. Further, the P-metal gate layer 380 may include a single metal layer or multi-metal layer structure with a sufficiently high effective work function (EWF) value such as TiN, TaN, Ru, Mo, Al, WN, and combinations thereof. Additionally, a fill metal may be deposited over the work function metal layer. For example, a layer of titanium (Ti) may be deposited to function as a wetting layer for a subsequent aluminum (Al) fill. A CMP may be performed to planarize the semiconductor device 300.

In FIG. 12, the mask 374 is removed. The poly layer 312 b may then be removed from the gate structure 306 b thereby forming a trench. The poly layer 312 b may be removed by a wet or dry etch process as discussed above. It is noted that a mask is not required to protect the gate structure 306 a since the P-metal gate 380 is present. An n-type work function metal gate (N-metal gate) 390 may be formed in the trench overlying the high-k dielectric layer 310 b. The N-metal gate 390 may include various metal materials suitable for forming a metal gate or portion thereof, including work function layers, fill metal layer, liner layer, wetting layer, and adhesion layer. The N-metal gate 390 may be formed by ALD, PVD, CVD, or other suitable process. Further, the N-metal gate layer 390 may include a single metal layer or multi-metal layer structure with a sufficiently low EWF value such as Ti, Ag, Al, TiAlN, TaC, TaCN, TaSiN, Mn, Zr, and combinations thereof. Additionally, a fill metal may be deposited over the work function metal layer. For example, a layer of titanium (Ti) may be deposited to function as a wetting layer for a subsequent aluminum (Al) fill. A CMP may be performed to planarize the semiconductor device 300. It is understood that the semiconductor device 300 may undergo further processing to form various features such as contacts/vias, interconnect metal layers, passivation layers, etc.

Referring to FIG. 13, illustrated is illustrated is a hybrid semiconductor device 400 that is operated as a p-type (p-channel) IMOS device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The semiconductor device 400 is similar to the semiconductor device 300 of FIG. 12. Accordingly, similar features in FIGS. 12 and 13 are numbered the same for the sake of clarity and simplicity. In the present embodiment, the semiconductor device 400 is biased such that the P-metal gate electrode 380 is coupled to a gate voltage (Vg), the n-type heavy doped region 354 is coupled to a source voltage (Vs), and the p-type heavy doped region 364 is coupled to a drain voltage (Vd). The N-metal gate electrode 390 of the gate structure 306 b serves as a non-operational gate structure in this configuration. The semiconductor device 400 includes an channel region having a gate length (L_(G)) and an intrinsic region (I-region) having an intrinsic length (L_(I)). The operation of the semiconductor device operates in a similar manner as the IMOS device 100 of FIG. 1 except for being a reverse type of device.

Referring to FIG. 14, illustrated is illustrated is a hybrid semiconductor device 500 that is operated as an n-type (n-channel) IMOS device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The semiconductor device 500 is similar to the semiconductor device 300 of FIG. 12. Accordingly, similar features in FIGS. 12 and 14 are numbered the same for the sake of clarity and simplicity. In the present embodiment, the semiconductor device 500 is biased such that the N-metal gate electrode 390 is coupled to a gate voltage (Vg), the n-type heavy doped region 354 is coupled to a drain voltage (Vd), and the p-type heavy doped region 364 is coupled to a source voltage (Vs). The P-metal gate electrode 380 of the gate structure 306 a serves as a non-operational gate structure in this configuration. The semiconductor device 400 includes an channel region having a gate length (L_(G)) and an intrinsic region (I-region) having an intrinsic length (L_(I)). The operation of the semiconductor device operates in a similar manner as the IMOS device 100 of FIG. 1.

The foregoing has outlined features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description that follows. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, although the embodiments have been disclosed in a gate last process (or gate replacement process), the IMOS device may be formed in high-k dielectric last process, gate first process, and a combination gate first and gate last process. 

1. A semiconductor device, comprising: a semiconductor substrate; a first gate structure disposed over the substrate, the first gate structure including a first gate electrode of a first conductivity type; a second gate structure disposed over the substrate and proximate the first gate structure, the second gate structure including a second gate electrode of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type; a first doped region of the first conductivity type disposed in the substrate, the first doped region including a first portion aligned with a side of the first gate structure; and a second doped region of the second conductivity type disposed in the substrate, the second doped region including a second portion aligned with a side of the second gate structure.
 2. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor device includes a symmetrical impact-ionization metal-oxide semiconductor (IMOS) device.
 3. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the first doped region further includes a first heavily doped region having a greater doping concentration than the first portion; wherein the second doped region further includes a second heavily doped region having a greater doping concentration than the second portion.
 4. The semiconductor device of claim 3, further comprising silicide features disposed on the first and second heavily doped regions, respectively,
 5. The semiconductor device of claim 4, wherein the silicide features are not disposed on the first and second portions of the first and second doped regions, respectively.
 6. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the first gate electrode includes a p-type work function metal gate; wherein the second gate structure includes an n-type work function metal gate.
 7. The semiconductor device of claim 6, wherein the first and second gate structures each includes a high-k gate dielectric.
 8. The semiconductor device of claim 1, further comprising an isolation structure for isolating an active region of the substrate, wherein the first and second doped regions are disposed within the active region
 9. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate having an active region; forming an isolation structure to isolate the active region; forming first and second gate structures over the active region of the substrate, the first gate structure including a first gate electrode of a first conductivity type, the second gate structure including a second gate electrode of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity; and forming first and second doped regions within the active region of the substrate, the first doped region having the first conductivity type, the second doped region having the second conductivity type, wherein the first and second gate structures are interposed between the first and second doped regions.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein forming the first and second gate structures includes: forming first and second dummy gate structures, respectively; forming spacers on sidewalls of the first and second dummy gate structures, wherein the spacers formed on opposing sidewalls of the first and second gate structures, respectively, are merged; replacing the first dummy gate structure with the first gate electrode; and replacing the second dummy gate structure with the second gate electrode.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first conductivity type is a p-type and wherein the second conductivity type is an n-type.
 12. The method of claim 11, operating the semiconductor device as an n-type impact-ionization metal-oxide semiconductor (IMOS) device, wherein the second gate structure functions as an operational gate, wherein the first gate structure is a non-operational gate, wherein the first doped region functions as a source, and wherein the second doped region functions as a drain.
 13. The method of claim 11, operating the semiconductor device as a p-type IMOS device, wherein the first gate structure functions as an operational gate, wherein the second gate structure is a non-operational gate, wherein the second doped region functions as a source, and wherein the first doped region functions as a drain.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein forming the first and second doped regions includes: forming a first lightly doped region of the first conductivity type aligned with one of the sidewalls of the first dummy gate structure prior to forming the spacers; forming a second lightly doped region of the second conductivity type aligned with one of the sidewalls of the second dummy gate structure prior to forming the spacers; forming a first heavily doped region of the first conductivity type aligned with the spacer formed on the one of the sidewalls of the first dummy gate structure; and forming a second heavily doped region of the second conductivity type aligned with the spacer formed on the one of the sidewalls of the second dummy gate structure; wherein the merged spacers protect a portion of the substrate directly underlying the merged spacers during formation of the first and second heavily doped regions.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising performing a salicidation process to form silicide features on the first and second heavily doped regions, respectively.
 16. A semiconductor device, comprising: a semiconductor substrate having an active region; an isolation structure for isolating the active region; first and second gate structures disposed over the active region of the substrate, the first gate structure including a first gate electrode of a first conductivity type, the second gate structure including a second gate electrode of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type; and first and second doped regions disposed within the active region of the substrate, the first doped region having the first conductivity type, the second doped region having the second conductivity type; wherein the first and second gate structures are interposed between the first and second doped regions.
 17. The semiconductor device of claim 16, wherein the first doped region includes a first lightly doped region and a first heavily doped region, the first lightly doped region being aligned with a side of the first gate structure; wherein the second doped region includes a second lightly doped region and a second heavily doped region, the second lightly doped region being aligned with a side of the second gate structure; wherein another side of the first gate structure opposes another side of the second gate structure.
 18. The semiconductor device of claim 17, further comprising silicide features disposed on the first and second heavily doped regions, respectively.
 19. The semiconductor device of claim 16, wherein the semiconductor device includes a symmetrical impact-ionization metal-oxide semiconductor (IMOS) device.
 20. The semiconductor device of claim 16, wherein the first gate electrode includes a p-type work function metal gate; wherein the first doped region is doped with a p-type dopant; wherein the second gate electrode includes an n-type work function metal gate; wherein the second doped region is doped with a n-type dopant. 